Mortaza optimistic about England touring Bangladesh

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is hopeful England will tour to the country later this year despite the mass killing of foreigners at a restaurant in Dhaka.

Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had said that it would follow government advice on whether the tour should go ahead as planned following the July 1 attack at an up market Dhaka restaurant that left 20 dead.

"I personally hope that the tour goes ahead.Cricket followers in Bangladesh have been waiting for a long time for a home series. Bangladeshi people love cricket, and they hope that England are coming for the tour. I am hopeful they (England) will come to hold on to the cricket culture," the 32-year-old was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

While admitting that England had always helped Bangladesh in need, Mashrafe assured the Eoin Morgan-led side of adequate security in the upcoming series.

"England have always helped Bangladesh. They had sent the team in the Under-19 World Cup. They will certainly get security, as much as what other cricket teams get when they come here. Bangladeshi people respect cricketers. I don't think there will be a problem," he added.

Earlier, England's limited overs captain Eoin Morgan had called the issue as a "big concern" and felt a neutral venue to host the three-one day internationals and two tests would be a "feasible" idea.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had described the ECB's concern as quite normal, but ruled out a neutral venue for their home series against England.

Security has been an issue in the country previously. The Australian team postponed their Bangladesh tour last year and then pulled out of the under-19 World Cup following an advice from their government.

England are scheduled to play three ODIs and two tests from October 7 to November 1 in Bangladesh.